Total Pageviews

Search This Blog

Monday, 20 January 2014

New Airbus aircraft list prices for 2014

Airbus has increased the average list prices of its aircraft by 2.6 per cent across the product line. The new pricing is effective from January 1st 2014. The 2.6 per cent price increase has been calculated according to Airbus’ standard escalation formula over the January 2013 to January 2014 period.

“Our new 2014 pricing reaffirms the unbeatable value of Airbus’ modern, fuel-efficient aircraft family,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “We see continuing strong demand in all aircraft size categories as our reliable, efficient product line enables customers to grow their businesses profitably as well as pleasing passengers who will always favour the most comfortable cabin.”

Airbus is the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer of passenger airliners, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats. Airbus champions innovative technologies and offers some of the world’s most fuel efficient and quiet aircraft. Airbus has sold nearly 14,000 aircraft to more than 360 customers worldwide. Of these, more than 8,000 aircraft have been delivered.

Skymark Airlines’ first A380 has started final assembly in Toulouse, following painting and delivery of tailplane from Hamburg

The vertical tailplane (VTP) for the first A380 for Skymark Airlines has been painted with the Japanese airline’s logo at Airbus’ facilities in Hamburg and transported by Beluga to Toulouse, where final assembly of the aircraft is now underway. This paves the way for completion and subsequent delivery to Skymark Airlines later this year.

Skymark Airlines, Japan’s third largest and fast growing airline, has placed six firm A380 orders with Airbus and will thus become the first Japanese airline to offer its passengers the unique and new experience of flying on the A380. Skymark plans to operate its A380s on international trunk routes, in particular linking Narita to destinations in the US.

Saturday, 4 January 2014

Zhejiang Loong Airlines firms up order for 20 A320 Family aircraft

Zhejiang Loong Airlines, based in Hangzhou, capital city of Zhejiang province in Eastern China, has signed its first purchase agreement with Airbus, for 20 A320 Family aircraft, including 11 A320ceo and nine A320neo, becoming the lastest Airbus customer. The agreement follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in September at the Beijing Airshow.

In addition Zhejiang Loong Airlines has also become the latest Airbus operator in mainland China, having completed its maiden commercial flight with a leased A320.

“Today is a special day for Zhejiang Loong Airlines as we start passenger operation and order 20 Airbus A320 Family aircraft, which demonstrates our ambition to contribute to the economic and social development of Zhejiang province by providing efficient transportation,” said Liu Qihong, Chairman of Zhejiang Loong Airlines. “We are making efforts to play a more important role in building the four-hour transportation circle around Hangzhou, which is advocated by the Zhejiang Government. The Airbus A320 Family aircraft is ideal for us to achieve our goals with advantages in operational reliability, economics, cabin space and its commonality between different types of Airbus aircraft.”

“We congratulate Zhejiang Loong Airlines on becoming a new customer and operator of the best-selling Airbus A320 Family” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer – Customers. “The A320 is the most eco-efficient single-aisle aircraft family and a world-class customer support network will provide Zhejiang Loong Airlines with an excellent platform to benefit from the economic growth in the region.”

The A320neo is offered as an option for the A320 Family and incorporates new more efficient engines and large "Sharklet" wing tip devices, which together will deliver up to 15 percent in fuel savings. At the end of November 2013, firm orders for the NEO stood at 2,523 from 45 customers, making it the fastest selling commercial airliner ever and underlining its market leadership position.The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling and most modern single aisle aircraft Family. To date, more than to 10,000 A320 Family aircraft have been ordered and some 5,850 delivered to around 395 customers and operators worldwide.

Emirates Airline firms up order for 50 additional A380s

Emirates Airline and Airbus have completed discussions and signed the firm contract for 50 additional A380s originally announced at the Dubai Airshow on 17th November 2013. The contract documents were finalised by Tim Clark, Emirates Airline President, during a visit to Airbus’ Headquarters in Toulouse, France.

Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said on the occasion: “The A380 is our flagship aircraft. It is popular with our customers and delivers results for us in terms of operational performance. That is why we have ordered these additional 50 aircraft, to add to our A380 fleet.”

“This order is a major vote of confidence in the A380. Since delivery of their first aircraft in July 2008, Emirates’ A380 fleet has grown to be the largest in the world with 44 A380s in operation. We congratulate Emirates on this impressive achievement and thank the airline for their continued support of our flagship aircraft. As Tim Clark has often said, "The A380 really is a game-changing aircraft.” commented John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

Since first entering service in 2007, to date 122 A380s have been delivered, to ten world class carriers. The aircraft flies 8,500 nautical miles or 15,700 kilometres non-stop, carrying more people at lower cost and with less impact on the environment. The spacious, quiet cabin and smooth ride have made the A380 a firm favourite with both airlines and passengers, resulting in higher load factors wherever it flies.

Air Caraïbes commits to six A350XWBs

Air Caraibes has signed a firm contract with Airbus for three A350-1000s, the largest member of Airbus’ new generation A350XWB Family. The airline will also lease three new A350-900s from ILFC. The aircraft will enter into service between 2016 and 2022.

The Air Caraïbes’ A350-1000s will seat 439 passengers in three classes, and the -900 will seat 387 passengers. The aircraft will be operated on the airline’s routes from Paris to Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Marteen, Haïti, Saint-Domingue and French Guyana which are currently flown by five A330s.

“We are delighted with our decision to buy A350-1000s”, said Jean-Paul Dubreuil, President of the Supervisory Board of Air Caraïbes. “We already benefit from the excellent performance and economics of our fleet of five A330s, and this new order for A350s will allow us to add capacity and give us an unrivalled economic advantage in a very competitive market”.

“Having Air Caraïbes come back with this new, incremental order for the A350 XWB is great news and a strong signal that this aircraft is the industry’s new benchmark in the long-haul segment,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “We are convinced that the A350 XWB’s unbeatable economics and superior passenger comfort will be key contributors to Air Caraïbes” continued success.”

The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) is an all-new mid-size long range product line comprising three versions and seating between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts and up to 440 in eco-efficient leisure cabin. The new Family will bring a step change in efficiency compared with existing aircraft in this size category, using 25 per cent less fuel and providing an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions. Including this new firm order from Air Caraïbes, the A350 XWB has already won 817 firm orders from 37 customers worldwide.

AirAsia X orders 25 more A330-300s

AirAsia X, the long haul affiliate of the AirAsia Group, has placed a firm order with Airbus for 25 more A330-300s. The contract is the largest A330 order received by Airbus in a single purchase agreement and increases the carrier’s total firm orders for the type to 51. These will be supplemented by another six A330-300s leased from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC).

The contract was signed in Paris today by Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X and Fabrice Brégier, President and CEO, Airbus, witnessed by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Co-founder and Director of AirAsia X.

AirAsia X will start taking delivery of its newly-ordered A330-300s in 2015 as it begins a major expansion of its network across the Asia-Pacific region. The new order includes the latest extended range versions of the A330-300, providing the carrier with the ability to offer non-stop service to destinations in Europe or one-stop service to the US.

Tan Sri’ Tony Fernandes, Co-Founder and Director of AirAsia X said, “This order stamps our firm intent to dominate the long-haul, low cost carrier space and marks the next phase in our development to be the undisputed global market leader. Our commitment would allow us to remain as the youngest wide body fleet age in the region at under five years throughout 2019, with corresponding competitive fuel efficiency, reliability and cabin comfort benefits.”

“The aircraft orders would further cater to our expansion plans in Malaysia, and the proposed new Thai AirAsia X hub as well as other long-haul ventures planned across Asia. The developments will complement the AirAsia Group's long-term vision of developing its presence in key markets in Asia and strengthen the connectivity between long-haul and short-haul low-cost network.”

“AirAsia X has proven that it is possible to build a highly successful low cost long haul business,” said Fabrice Brégier President and CEO, Airbus. “And the A330 is the perfect platform for such operations, with the lowest operating costs, true long range flying capability and a proven track record of exceptional technical reliability. We look forward to working with AirAsia X as it continues to innovate in the low cost long haul market.”

AirAsia X currently operates 16 A330-300s on services linking its Kuala Lumpur base to destinations in Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific. In addition to A330s, the carrier also has 10 A350-XWB aircraft on order for future delivery.

The latest order from AirAsia X further consolidates the position of the AirAsia Group as one of Airbus’s largest airline customers in the world. In total the Group has now ordered 536 aircraft from the manufacturer. These include 475 A320 Family single aisle aircraft for AirAsia’s short haul operations based out of Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta and Manila, plus the 51 A330s and 10 A350 XWBs for AirAsia The twin engine A330 is one of the most widely used widebody aircraft in service today. To date, Airbus has won more than 1,280 orders for the various versions of the aircraft. More than 1,000 A330s have already been delivered and the aircraft is currently flying with almost 100 operators worldwide.

Asiana Airlines’ first Airbus A380 performs its maiden flight

Asiana Airlines’ first A380 has successfully completed its maiden flight. The A380 flew on Friday from Airbus’ facilities in Toulouse, France to the aircraft manufacturer’s site in Hamburg, Germany, where it will undergo painting and cabin furnishing.

Asiana Airlines will become the twelfth operator of the A380 when it takes delivery of its first aircraft in the second quarter of 2014. The airline has firm orders for six A380s and will operate the aircraft on its primary routes from Seoul to the US.

Kuwait Airways, the National airline of Kuwait, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to buy ten A350-900 and fifteen A320neo Family aircraft. The order is part of Kuwait Airways’ fleet renewal strategy. The carrier already operates three A320, three A310, five A300 and four A340 Family aircraft.

“The Airbus Family is the ideal choice for an airline like ours,” said Kuwait Airways acting Chairman Mr Jassar Al Jassar. “The A350-900 will strengthen our long haul route development whilst the A320neo will further boost our regional route network. These aircraft are an essential part of our ambitious growth plans.”

“It’s great to see our long-standing customer Kuwait Airways, building its future with our newest, most efficient aircraft families,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “In choosing the A320neo and A350 XWB, Kuwait Airways will offer its passengers the industry’s best-in-class cabin experience on both long and short haul routes, flying them comfortably in the widest seats in all classes.”

The A320neo is offered as an option for the A320 Family and incorporates new more efficient engines and large "Sharklet" wing tip devices, which together will deliver up to 15 percent in fuel savings. At the end of November 2013, firm orders for the NEO stood at 2,523 from 45 customers, making it the fastest selling commercial airliner ever and underlining its market leadership position.

The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) is an all-new mid-size long range product line comprising three versions. The new Family, whose fuselage cross-section is optimized to accommodate Airbus’ 18-inch economy seat-width for long range passenger comfort, will also bring a 25 percent step change in efficiency compared with existing aircraft in this size category. Scheduled for entry-into-service in 2014, the A350 XWB has already won 814 firm orders from 39 customers worldwide.